Food & Drink

Top Tapas In Denver

Sometimes when Denver food lovers go out on the town searching for a tasty bite to eat, a four-course meal is not what the occasion calls for. If you’re looking to snack and share, turn to tapas. These small-plate style dishes are perfect for an elaborate tasting dish or something as simple as a platter of cheese and crackers. Check out these Denver restaurants offering stellar tapas dishes, along with many local and imported beverages, that are a great success.

For a true Spanish tapas experience, head to Ondo’s. With a wide selection of Spanish cured meats and cheeses, there is plenty of room for guests to experiment with their taste buds. Order a glass of house-made sangria or Spanish wine to pair with the offerings. The Mar Y Tierra is one of the more unique plates on the menu but delicious nonetheless. Served with lump crab, ham, avocado and salmon eggs, you get a mouthful of various tastes and textures.

Located in the heart of Denver, this LoDo tapas bar is the perfect selection for those that want to experience a night downtown. Customers are presented a large menu full of items like pan-fried artichoke hearts and Spanish ham to pair with brilliantly crafted cocktails like The 9th Door Lemon Drop or Cosmopolitan. With all of the tapas choices, visitors must not forget to finish the night with one of the many mouth-watering desserts. Try the Bizchoco Burrocho for $6. The rich Spanish sponge cake is covered in cinnamon brandy caramel sauce and topped with creme fraiche.

Corridor 44 is Denver’s only champagne bar, offering an enormous selection of hand-picked bubbly. The drink is not the only virtue that makes this one of the city’s hottest spots; the small plates are worth a visit alone. Snack away with a plate of mixed olives and nuts or margarita grilled shrimp skewers. Or, splurge with Corridor 44’s oysters on the half shell or one ounce serving of American caviar.

Always packed full of excitement, Karma continues the reputation that downtown Littleton builds with each restaurant as a bright spot just south of Denver. An affordable and extensive list of small plates includes jalapeño-garlic brushetta, karma poppers or the better-than-sex cake. Chuck’s green chili will have your eyes watering in no time. The wait staff is also knowledgeable about each dish and is happy to offer a suggested pairing of any tapas with a glass of wine or craft beer.

Westword’s Best Wine Bar title has been awarded to Cellar Wine Bar twice now. The wine bar’s small plates are perfect pairs to a glass of wine here. The a la carte salami and cheese selection is consistently tasty, as are the three flatbread options. Try the Rocket Flatbread, topped with peppery arugula, mozzarella, basil pesto and bresaola.

Zack Christofferson is a freelance writer living in Denver. Deeply devoted to all things food and drink, Zack can be found tasting the best liquid and solid indulgences that Denver has to offer morning, noon and night. His work can be found here.